Chapter 117 Three Years of Transformation: Zuo Qinghuan's Return

Chapter 117 Three Years of Transformation: Zuo Qinghuan's Return

Three Years Later in Tokyo

The woman at the piano had a delicate, slender figure, like young bamboo. Her long, straight hair cascaded down her back, giving her an ethereal quality, like clear water flowing serenely down a mountain stream.

"Elder sister's playing is getting so much better," Kitano Aoba said softly, her voice as light as cotton candy, a typical trait of many Japanese women.

"You're teasing me." Zuo Qinghuan closed the piano lid. Aoba was a far better pianist than Qin Wanshu. Aoba had an exceptional musical talent, and Zuo Qinghuan felt like she was showing off her own limited skills in front of a master. Still, she had chosen to learn the piano because she wanted to play for Qin Wanshu one day. Aoba had once said she looked beautiful while playing, and Zuo Qinghuan hoped Qin Wanshu would think so too.

"Three years have passed, and you can finally go back to see her," Kitano Aoba said, genuinely happy for her elder sister. She knew better than anyone how hard Zuo Qinghuan had worked during those three years. The stunning transformation she had undergone was all for that one special person. That person was truly happy and lucky. Zuo Qinghuan had always trusted Kitano Aoba and had confided in her early on about her purpose in coming to Japan. Whenever Zuo Qinghuan deeply missed Qin Wanshu, she would describe her in detail to Kitano Aoba – her appearance, her personality, everything about her. Because of this, Kitano Aoba felt like she knew Qin Wanshu well. From Zuo Qinghuan's descriptions, Qin Wanshu sounded like an incredibly perfect woman. Aoba loved watching Zuo Qinghuan when she spoke of Qin Wanshu, sensing the deep infatuation she held. It was a beautiful emotion, and she admired Zuo Qinghuan's persistence and dedication to her love. She sincerely hoped they would become a loving couple. Kitano Aoba's feelings for Zuo Qinghuan were akin to Guo Xiang's admiration for Yang Guo, with Qin Wanshu being like the unattainable Xiaolongnu.

"These three years have gone by so quickly. I always feel like I haven't learned enough." The thought of returning home made every cell in Zuo Qinghuan's body tremble with anticipation. The longing to go back had never been this intense.

"Time is limited, but learning is endless. You can never learn everything," Kitano Aoba said with a smile. The most important learning was the strengthening of the spirit, and her elder sister's spirit was much stronger now than when she first arrived. That inner resilience was the most valuable thing.

"I'll go change my clothes now and say goodbye to Father." Kitano Mine had adopted her as his goddaughter a year ago and treated her like his own child. Over the past three years, both Kitano Mine and Kitano Aoba had taught her so much, and her gratitude was beyond words.

Kitano Aoba had already laid out a white kimono with a cherry blossom pattern and carefully began to help Zuo Qinghuan put it on. Even after three years in Japan, Zuo Qinghuan still couldn't dress herself in a kimono and always needed Aoba's assistance. Zuo Qinghuan thought Aoba's hands were incredibly skilled, almost magical, possessing all the qualities of a truly virtuous woman.

Kitano Aoba gazed at Zuo Qinghuan, now dressed in the kimono. She worried she might never have the chance to dress her again. Thinking about her impending departure, Aoba felt a pang of sadness, but she quickly pushed it down. She should be happy for her elder sister.

Zuo Qinghuan and Kitano Aoba strolled together through the backyard, which was overflowing with cherry blossoms. It was March, and the blossoms were in full bloom, a breathtaking sight. Legend had it that a mistress of the Kitano family in a past generation had loved cherry blossoms so much that the master had ordered servants to plant them all over the yard. Zuo Qinghuan, wearing a kimono adorned with cherry blossoms, seemed to melt into this scene, as beautiful as a flower fairy.

"Father," Kitano Aoba and Zuo Qinghuan said in unison.

Kitano Mine was just over fifty, his hair showing some gray, making him look a bit older than his age. However, his strong features still hinted at the handsome man he had been in his youth. He had once fought fiercely for love and family, but ultimately lost. With age, his intense emotions had settled, becoming deeper and more profound. Initially, his selflessness towards Zuo Qinghuan stemmed from his deep love for his beloved woman, who was still far away in China. But as they spent more time together, he had grown to genuinely care for this young woman.

"You're going back home, aren't you?" Kitano Mine asked, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"Yes, thank you, Father, for taking such good care of me these past three years." Kneeling, Zuo Qinghuan gently kowtowed to Kitano, expressing her heartfelt gratitude.

"Come back to Japan to see me and Aoba when you have time. You and Aoba should talk more. She's probably the one who will miss you the most." Kitano Mine wasn't a man of many words. In fact, he disliked farewells. Every parting reminded him of the day the woman he loved most had left, watching her go helplessly, and finally, under family pressure, marrying another woman. Although his current wife was also a good person, she wasn't the one who held the deepest place in his heart.

"Father, I want to go to China," Kitano Aoba suddenly announced.

Not only was Kitano Mine surprised, but even Zuo Qinghuan looked at Aoba in astonishment.

"I want to see Mother. I miss her very much, and I know Father misses her too. Father, please let me go see Mother," Kitano Aoba pleaded earnestly. For a long, long time, she had wanted to go to China, to the place where her mother was.

Kitano Mine hesitated for a long moment before giving a slight nod. He also wanted to know if she was doing well.

Zuo Qinghuan had left for Japan without a word, not even saying goodbye. Li Xin had been furious. Zuo Qinghuan had called back to apologize many times before Li Xin reluctantly forgave her. So, three years later, when she received Zuo Qinghuan's call saying she was coming back to China, she was still stunned for a moment. She forcefully got up from Yan Ruozhe's body, cursed Zuo Qinghuan with unsatisfied desire, and then drove to the airport to pick her up.

The plane from Tokyo finally landed. As Zuo Qinghuan approached her hometown, she felt a sense of trepidation. Her heart was pounding, but she tried her best to remain calm. Qin Wanshu, I'm back, Zuo Qinghuan murmured silently to herself.

From the crowd, Zuo Qinghuan quickly spotted Li Xin. Li Xin hadn't changed much in three years. She still had that captivating look, flamboyant and beautiful, drawing the attention of countless people.

"Li Xin!" Zuo Qinghuan called out softly.

Li Xin followed the sound and indeed saw Zuo Qinghuan, whom she hadn't seen in three years. This one's hair was even longer than before, and still so well-maintained. She still had that deceptively innocent face, but she had transformed from a small-time beauty to a real showstopper, a definite upgrade. Was this the result of three years of self-cultivation?

"You finally decided to come back. I thought you'd run off to flirt with Japanese girls and forgotten all about Qin Wanshu!" Li Xin gave Zuo Qinghuan a bear hug as soon as she saw her, then playfully scolded her. She had originally planned to go to Japan with Yan Yan during their vacation this year to see this heartless woman, but now that she had decided to come back herself, they wouldn't bother with that little country.

Zuo Qinghuan couldn't help but laugh. It felt so good to be back, and it felt so good to see Li Xin, who hadn't changed at all.

"This is Kitano Aoba, my adopted younger sister. This is Li Xin, my best friend," Zuo Qinghuan introduced Kitano Aoba to Li Xin.

"Hello, I am Kitano Aoba. It's nice to meet you," Kitano Aoba said with a smile to Li Xin. Li Xin's appearance and her elder sister's were complete opposites, yet they were best friends. It was a fascinating combination.

Did she really bring a Japanese girl back? Li Xin then noticed Kitano Aoba standing next to her. What a delicate beauty, and she seemed so gentle, obedient, and easily flustered. Could it be that Zuo Qinghuan had moved on? Thinking of Qin Wanshu, Li Xin then realized that Kitano Aoba did have some similarities to Qin Wanshu, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

"I'm Li Xin. Please wait a moment, I need to have a private chat with Zuo Qinghuan." Li Xin gave Kitano Aoba an enchanting smile, then pulled Zuo Qinghuan aside and whispered, "Zuo Qinghuan, god-sister, you need to know that's a very loaded term. But your sister really has a vibe that makes people want to... well, you know..." The increasingly mature Li Xin was definitely showing the mischievous side of an older sibling.

"Out of all the possibilities, my heart belongs to only one," Zuo Qinghuan interrupted Li Xin's increasingly suggestive words. "Aoba is just a younger sister."

"Still Qin Wanshu?" Li Xin asked, both surprised and not surprised.

"Mmm," Zuo Qinghuan nodded.

"Are you sure she'll still love you after you left like that for three years?" Li Xin asked.

Zuo Qinghuan fell silent.

Seeing Zuo Qinghuan's reaction, Li Xin frowned slightly. Because Yan Yan was connected to the Qin family, she still knew some of Qin Wanshu's recent situation. That woman's heart was too vast. She was no longer an ordinary person but a true icon. The trivial matters of romantic love were probably becoming increasingly insignificant in her life.

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